“Our next target is Theta Minsar.”Xi’Yor’s cold,
calculating voice echoed amidst the cavernous halls of the Dryad Citadel.The Overseer stood in the center of the
Citadel’s Great Hall, calmly pacing amidst a holographic projection of the
Elorg armada’s next destination.“There
is a Federation research facility in orbit of the second planet, allegedly
devoted to the study of the ionized particles in the Theta Minsar star.At present, the facility is poorly defended,
but according to the Cortisan Enclave, Starfleet is in the process of
retrofitting the outpost with an advanced defense network.”

Xi’Yor wandered amidst the holographic projection until he stood
beside the smoldering red world of Theta Minsar II.Beneath the dark veil of black clouds, crimson seas of magma
boiled over much of the craggy surface.It was easily one of the most hellish planets the Overseer had witnessed—and
one he very much wanted to conquer.

The twin moons of Malis and Irtuk orbited the desolate world.After eons of abuse from the nearby asteroid
belt, the ominous gray spheres were heavily pocked and cratered, but they
nevertheless endured—there were even indications of microbial life forms
swimming in the seas beneath Irtuk.The
‘legendary’ bacteria fascinated scientists on both sides of the border, but
Xi’Yor could not have cared less.

It was bacteria.And since
it had the misfortune of developing beneath the surface of a moon fated to
destruction, the ‘legendary’ importance of the discovery was already a
disputable point.However, the sleek
Federation outpost lingering nearby… that was something of a bit more
consequence.

Xi’Yor smiled thinly as he peered at the structure orbiting Theta
Minsar II.He suspected it would endure
for only a few bloody moments in battle with an Elorg warship—and in his mind,
even that was a very generous estimate.

The Federation was still recovering from the magnificently
successful strike on Earth—and since its denizens feared another wave of enemy
forces was on the horizon, the Federation, in its infinite wisdom,
retreated.Dozens of Federation
starships returned to protect Earth, leaving many other planets ripe for
invasion—and Theta Minsar II was easily the most vulnerable target.

But that window of opportunity was closing.

“In six days, Starfleet will bring the outpost’s new defense
network online.While it is a certainty
we can overpower the outpost regardless of the network’s status, we stand a
greater chance of success while it is still offline.”

A flurry of conversation immediately erupted in the Great Hall as
the gathered Overseers debated Xi’Yor’s proposal. While Xi’Yor could not make
out most of the individual conversations, he would occasionally overhear
references to the Federation and its wretched outpost.He was confident that the Conclave would
reach an acceptable decision in a timely manner.Unfortunately, Xi’Yor would not be present when the Conclave made
that fateful decision…

Five seconds later, the High Overseer collapsed, comatose even
before his body hit the floor.